This elegant home, built in 1891, is a stunning example of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture, inside and out. All of the rooms on the mansion's three floors reveal the ornate style of the era. Rooms on the second and third floor also feature rotating exhibits that are on display for 3 to 6 months. Some are more permanent.
St. Vincent Hospital marks 150 years of caring for our community—what began as a 12-bed hospital in 1875 is now a modern Allegheny Health Network hospital. This exhibit traces the story of the sisters of St. Joseph, who founded the hospital, and how it has grown.
The exhibit features hundred of photos and artifacts, including nurses' uniforms throughout the years along with a variety of antique medical equipment.
The exhibit also focuses on some medical breakthroughs throughout the years, like a celebratory moment after cardiologists Richard Heibel, MD and Richard Anderson, MD performed a successful balloon aortic valvuloplasty. The minimally invasive procedure represented a significant advancement in heart care that reduced patient healing time and offered reduced risk compared to major surgery.
The Sisters of St. Joseph arrived in Erie, PA, in 1860 and established their ministries, which included teaching, healing, and providing care for the elderly and orphans. Key institutions they founded or staffed include St. Vincent Hospital, Villa Maria Academy, the former Villa Maria College, and St. Mary's Home. They also founded an orphanage.
Today, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Northwestern Pennsylvania remain active in community revitalization and social justice, with ministries like the Sisters of St. Joseph Neighborhood Network providing services such as food assistance, affordable housing, and youth programs.
On the second floor, our Hand-Picked exhibit features some of our staff's favorite artifacts that are typically kept in the archives. Highlights include the flag that once draped Abraham Lincoln’s casket in Albany; a model of School House Number 1 in Erie County; a wood table constructed of petrified wood; and a stunning child-sized coach from the Hamot family, founders of Hamot Hospital, now UPMC. These hand-selected artifacts are located in what was once Carrie T. Watson's bedroom, at the northwest corner of the mansion.
In 1792, Erie became a desirable land for settlers from neighboring regions. By 1850, it had grown from a few dozen settlers to nearly 6,000 residents. Businessmen Thomas Rees, Andrew Ellicott, and Judah Colt arrived and sold properties to settlers.
Giles Sanford, Rufus S. Reed, and Daniel Dobbins established businesses, stores, taverns, ship chandleries, and schools. Soon, the next generation of family members like Judah Colt Spencer, Laura Sanford, Myron Sanford, and Lavinia Spencer founded endeavors, agencies, and organizations that Erieites still support to this day. The community impact these families of early Erie cannot be overstated.
One of the most interesting stories is about Laura Sanford, who had a privileged upbringing. She traveled the world and dabbled in painting landscapes and portraits and later he also wrote for the Erie Gazette newspaper, the first woman in the city to do so.
In subsequent years, Laura created what would become The History of Erie County, Pennsylvania, From Its First Settlement, published in 1862.
These will illuminate our second floor in an exhibit of windows and panels that adorned these commercial buildings. Backlighting will reveal the vibrant colors of the original glass designs.
Eurgene Iverd gained recognition for his cover illustrations in popular magazines such as The Saturday Evening Post, McCall’s, Ladies Home Journal, and The American Magazine and for Campbell’s Soup and many others.
The original watercolor paintings, by local artist Lester R. Roesner, feature landscapes or cityscapes. depicting scenes in the Erie area from the mid-20th century. Roesner was born February 27, 1905, in Waukegan, Illinois and later attended Academy High School in Erie. He graduated from the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia and returned to Erie. He painted an Erie Series of buildings in addition to national works. He also completed murals in local schools and organizations.
He was president of the Erie Art Club in 1938 and was employed as the art director at the National Service Engraving Company. He also opened an art studio in Erie.
The following exhibits remain on display:
Our Hours:
Erie campus:
Monday: CLOSED
Tuesday: 10 am - 5 pm
Wednesday: 10 am - 5 pm
Thursday: 10 am - 5 pm
Friday: 10 am - 5 pm
Saturday: 10 am - 5 pm
Sunday: 12 pm - 5 pm
*****Girard campus is open for special events only
